Monday, 10 July 2017

Shere

Hello

Thanks for popping in.

There's a delightful chocolate box village which is a Shere delight, actually the sweet shop is called Shere Delight, the village is just Shere. Located just a few miles out of Guildford in the Surrey Hills, the village has everything you would imagine from a place standing still in time, apart from the cars, too many cars but it was Shere's Open Gardens event.

Before we look at the gardens, let's have a look round.

There are some lovely shops, a restaurant, a couple of pubs, cafés, an open air swimming pool, a museum - fancy that in such a tiddly place. The river passing through, with ducks afloat, is the Tillingbourne. A playground by the Village Hall, which has red checked tablecloths, has wonderful views over the North Downs. Some of the buildings were designed by Lutyens.

If you zoom into the map below, you'll see when each of the houses was built.

St James Church, which is mentioned in the Domesday Book, is in the centre of town with a lychgate bedecked in flowers.

Even the public conveniences below, looked special, having been converted from the old fire station.

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The allotments were spick and span and thriving. Every single space had been lovingly used.

Next time, we'll peek through those garden gates and enjoy picking up a few tips.

I'm having a giggle over the Church porch flowers as it wasn't that long ago, my Mum who organises the Church Flower Festival was in bed with a bug, & I was given the job of just finishing off the church porch door... 'what the door that everyone walks through to get into the church?' I asked nervously?! Moi?! So I know a mighty fine church flower arch over the porch door when I see one - good job St James Church! Looks a lovely visit!Hope you are enjoying Wimbledon!Wren x

Shere is definitely on my places to visit soon. What a fabulous place. Love Lutyens houses. Recently stayed in one that had been turned into an hotel just outside Dorchester in Dorset. It was beautiful and very homely. B x

Shere used to be one of my favourite places to pop to when my children were small. Crumbs used to give us bags of stale bread to feed the ducks and the children loved paddling in their wellies in the stream. The museum was always interesting and the volunteers keen to demonstrate the artefacts and the church is beautiful. Not nearly so many eateries and nice things shops back in the old days. I remember there was a good antiques centre with lots of different dealers and I bought a 1920s swivel and tilt oak office chair (still going strong) and a small Edwardian mahogany bookcase for the playroom, now in our bedroom. (I've still never been to that Swedish store!) Oh and very quickly Goddards, the Lutyens house in Abinger Common, which is now owned by the Landmark Trust has just had an open weekend. We went and enjoyed coffee and homemade cake in the garden while a choir sang and then had a good look round the house. Lots of lovely turn of the last century Heal's furniture and the usual Landmark attention to detail. You can book a tour if you are interested. The Lutyens Trust house their library there and organise tours from time to time.

Thanks very much for sharing your memories of Shere Sarah, you paint an idyllic picture of your time there with your children. I'll have to have a look at Abinger Common, I've not been there before. Have a good weekend.